Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-08-01
A MISPLACED SWITCH
Causes a Horrible Accident on the Con.
cord X. R.-Four Persons Killed and
Others. jured-A Switchman Charg ed
With Negligence.
CONCORD. n. II. ,July 90

CONCORD, n. II. July 80.
frlghttul accident occurred on the Hook.
sett branch of the Concord Railroad, Satur-
day. The up accommodation passenger
train reported nine minutes late and comes
via. Suncook.
The mixed train from Pittsfeld was on
time and started south from Suncook for
Hooksett to connect with the forenoon train
The Pittsf1eld train was on the siding
short distance this side of Hooksett, when
the passenger train BY reason of a misplaced
switch, ran onto the siding and crashed into
the locomotive of the mixed train. Both
locomotives were badly wrecked as were also
baggage and mail cars of passenger train and
many of the freight cars on the mixed train.
Engineers and fremen on both trains had
time to jump and escaped serious injuries.
George French, express messenger, and
Frank Barney, brakeman on the mixed train
were instantly killed and others Injured
Mr. French belonged in Portsmouth, and
had been express messenger between Concord
and Portsmouth many years. Barney be-
longed in Grafton.
A relief train was sent from this city with
surgeons to attend the injured A large
gang of men were also dispatched to clear
the wreck and remove distractions from the
track. The pecuniary damage will be heavy.
This is the first serious damage that has
happened on the Concord railroad for many
years.
later report places the whole number
killed as being four.
he full particular of the accident are as
follows: The engine and several freight
cars of the Pittsfeld train were setting on
siding about an eighth of mile below Hook
EFT station of the Concord railroad, when the
up mail crsuhed into it by reason OF a mis-
placed switch. The passenger train consist
ed OF combination mail, express aud bag
gage, and five ordinary coaches. The .engi
neer had slowed down preparatory to shut
ting of steam, when the accident occurred.
Immediately after the collision an inspec
tion of the wreck began. Both locomotives,
the mail, baggage and several freight cars
were badly broken. The debris covered
large amount of space. The attention of the
rescuers was called to the brakeman, Fred
Barney, of the Pittstield train. He was re-
moved with difficulty and carried into the
Concord Railroad freight station. near by,
where after lingering in terrible agony for
half an hour he died,
United States Pension Agent w. Ii. d.
Cochrane of Nashua, who WAS on the passen-
ger train, helped rescue Barney, and re-
malned with him until he died. He was con.
scious long enough to recognize the station
agent, TO whom he said his fellow brakeman,
Geo. Latter, had left the switch open. He
also sent tender message to his father at
Grafton. Barney was in the act of coupling
the car, when the trains struck, and he was
terribly cut about the limbs and bowels.
In the express car, Messenger George
French, Portsmouth, was found firmly caught
between barrel and the tender OF the engine
which had telescopea that car. French was
wedged in by the neck, and his death must
have been instantaneous. Aside from a
slight acrasion about the neck, there were no
marks of injuries upon him.
Fireman Geo. Carter of Concord, of the
passenger train, sustained severe bruises
about the body, and will be incapacitated for
work for some time. The passenger engi
neer, Frank Clark, sustained only slight in
juries. Geo. Saltar, Of Pittstield. brake
man on the Pitt,feld train. was cut about the
hip and head, but his wounds were not of a
serious character.
The only passengers injured were Mise
Collins slightly, and Capt r. II. Allen
Illinois, who was on his way east to attend
the reunion of the Sd New Hampshire his old
regiment. He was bur; slightly in one limb
by jumping.
DR.. G. o. Frost of Hanover, who hap.
pened to be on the passenger train, rendered
valuable surgical aid to the wounded until
the arrival of the relief train from Concord
with force of surgeons.
The citizens of Hooksett turned out in
large numbers and aided the sufferers. The
accident was caused by negligence in leaving
the switch open which allowed the passenger
train to run onto the siding. The RESPONSE
bility for this act of csrelessness is placed on
Sater, the Pittsield brakeman, according to
Barneys diving statement
| The bodies of French and Barney, also
the wounded, were brought here on the ex-
press train.
! Large crowds thronged the station eagerly
searching after the latest intelligence of the
catastrophe. Concord r. X. officials were at
the scene of the wreck, early, and did every
thing possible to alleviate the wounds of the
injured
French the express messenger, leaves a
widow. Barney was unmarried.
The wreck blocked one of the tracks of
the main line and trains are all late. The
debris was removed Saturday afternoon.